5 ways to maintain your vital energy

12 Jul 5 ways to maintain your vital energy

As you may remember, last month I jetted to Ibiza to attend nutritionist Vicki Edgson’s Vital Energy retreat. Specially designed to rebalance mind and body, the itinerary included outdoor activities, yoga, alternative therapies and organic, mainly alkaline-based meals.

While I don’t live an excessively unhealthy lifestyle, in my opinion there’s lots of room for improvement. I loved the yoga sessions on a platform overlooking some spectacular scenery (so much easier to do somehow), being inspired by an abundance of nutritional ideas and how I felt physically and mentally after just a few days of healthy eating and living. One word – strong.

Here are some pictures from the retreat, including the instruments used in our Sound Healing therapy session, and some of the fabulous food we ate:

A nutritional consultation with Vicki is like gold dust, so while I was there I grabbed the opportunity to ask her advice on the best way of maintaining vital energy so we can stay balanced, even when our lives become overbearingly busy or stressful. Here are her wonderful tips:

1. Choose to ‘take up’ something positive, rather than ‘giving up’ something negative or potentially damaging to your health – instead of knocking back a strong coffee, try a green smoothie in the morning containing Purition Pistachio Protein powder with almond milk, peach and avocado, hot water and lemon or fresh herbs to flush out the liver and kidneys.

2. Choose a form of exercise that you can share with a friend, so that the burden of physical activity is changed into an opportunity for a regular social commitment with someone you never have enough time to spend with. This could be a weekly bike ride, yoga or Pilates class, or Zumba/ Tango class to put the smile on your faces. Being physical should be fun, rather than a chore! This is why we include kayaking and other fun activities on the Vital Energy retreat – challenging yourself occasionally is good for your body and mind – repetitive exercise is boring unless you push yourself to new heights!

3. Choose to feed yourself as a matter of nourishment, rather than dieting or restricting the foods you eat – most people eat the same foods day in and day out. Make breakfast a priority to set you up for the day. Bircher Muesli (soaked oats with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, fresh fruits and almonds) , scrambled eggs with rye bread, or avocado on toast are all great ways to start the day. On the VE retreat, you eat a huge variety of foods, and are given plenty of examples of energising meals.

4. Being prepared is what it’s all about – if your fridge is stocked with what you know makes you feel good, you will handle your stress and energy levels far better. Use a good, online food delivery company for your basics and fresh fruit and vegetables, and find out where your nearest fresh food farmers market is – make it a regular habit to stock up from these markets as they specialise in all the seasonal fare.

5. Practise some form of regular relaxation – be it meditation, a 45-minute power-nap, or other revitalising activity. We are all running around like headless chickens in our frantic 21st century style lives, and often get more done when we take time out in the middle of day. Choose to leave the office for half an hour to buy your lunch, rather than eating it at your desk mindlessly. Eating consciously ensures that you don’t over-eat. You will know when you are full.

For more information on Vicki’s retreats in both Ibiza and the UK, visit www.vickiedgson.com/retreats